Title: “Akhtar saw Mukkabaaz & said, ‘You don’t like making money’: Anurag”
In an industry where success is often measured by the box office numbers, it’s refreshing to hear a filmmaker like Anurag Kashyap, who has always been known for his bold and thought-provoking cinema, speak about his creative choices. Recently, while talking about his critically acclaimed film Mukkabaaz, Anurag revealed a fascinating conversation he had with the renowned screenwriter Javed Akhtar, who had watched the film and shared his thoughts on its ending.
For those who may not be familiar, Mukkabaaz is a 2017 Indian sports drama film written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, starring Vineet Kumar Singh as a young wrestler from Uttar Pradesh who fights against all odds to make a name for himself in the world of professional wrestling. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its gritty portrayal of Indian sports, its nuanced character development, and its unflinching look at the corruption and nepotism that plagues the wrestling world.
In a recent interview, Anurag Kashyap opened up about a conversation he had with Javed Akhtar after the latter had watched Mukkabaaz. According to Anurag, Akhtar told him that if he had shown Vineet Kumar Singh’s character, Shravan, winning at the end of the film, it would have been a massive hit. Instead, the film ends with Shravan’s defeat, a choice that Anurag made deliberately to show the harsh realities of Indian sports.
“He told me, ‘You’ve a problem. You don’t like making money’,” Anurag Kashyap recalled, laughing. “I said, ‘I’m not making films to make money. I’m making films to tell stories that need to be told’.”
This conversation highlights the fundamental difference between the commercial expectations of the film industry and the artistic vision of a filmmaker like Anurag Kashyap. While many filmmakers would be tempted to alter their narrative to ensure a box office success, Anurag has consistently demonstrated a willingness to take risks and challenge his audience.
In the case of Mukkabaaz, Anurag’s choice to show Shravan’s defeat was a bold one. By refusing to sugarcoat the harsh realities of Indian sports, he was able to create a film that was both a critical and commercial success. The film’s nuanced portrayal of the protagonist’s journey, from his early days as an amateur wrestler to his eventual rise to fame, was widely praised for its authenticity and emotional resonance.
Anurag’s conversation with Javed Akhtar also speaks to the tension that often exists between the creative vision of a filmmaker and the commercial expectations of the industry. While Akhtar’s comment about the film’s ending being a “problem” implies that Anurag’s choice was misguided, Anurag’s response highlights the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision.
“I wouldn’t have made the film if I had to show Vineet as a winner,” Anurag said. “I wanted to show the reality of Indian sports. I wanted to show the struggle, the pain, the blood, the sweat, and the tears that people go through to make a name for themselves in this country.”
This commitment to authenticity is what sets Anurag Kashyap apart from many other filmmakers in the industry. His willingness to take risks, to challenge his audience, and to tell stories that need to be told has resulted in a body of work that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
In conclusion, Anurag Kashyap’s conversation with Javed Akhtar serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision, even in the face of commercial pressure. By refusing to compromise on his creative choices, Anurag has been able to create a film like Mukkabaaz, which is not only a critical success but also a testament to the power of Indian cinema to tell stories that need to be told.
